saccharo-

Saccharo- is a combining form used like a prefix meaning “sugar.” It is often used in scientific terms, especially in chemistry.

Saccharo- comes from the Greek sákkharon, meaning “sugar.” The English word sugar is related to the Greek sákkharon, which ultimately comes from a Sanskrit root through Arabic. Discover the incredible pathways of sugar into English at our entry for the word.

Saccharo- is a variant of sacchar-, which adds an -o– when combined with words or word elements beginning with vowels.

Want to know more? Read our Words That Use sacchar- article.

One term from chemistry that features the combining form saccharo- is saccharometer, meaning “an instrument for measuring the amount of sugar in a solution.” This can be done by determining the specific gravity of the solution.

The first part of the word, saccharo-, means “sugar.” The second element, -meter, is a combining form that means “measure,” used in the names of instruments that measure specific qualities. Saccharometer literally translates to “sugar measurer.”

What are some words that use the combining form saccharo-?

• saccharofarinaceous
• saccharolactic acid
• saccharolytic
• saccharometabolism
• saccharomycete

What are some other forms that saccharo- may be commonly confused with?

• sacro-
• sarco-

Metabolism, put simply, is the process by which an organism breaks down its food sources to make energy. What substance is processed in saccharometabolism?